Austrian pine - Pinus nigra

​Common Name: Austrian pine

Scientific Name: 
Family: Pinaceae 
Genus: Pinus
Species: nigra

Hardiness Zone: 4 to 7
Height: 40 to 60 ft
Width: 20 to 40 ft

Description: Austrian pine, as the name suggests, is not native to the United States. It is, however, a valuable urban evergreen tree and poses no threat to our native conifers. Austrian pine is tolerant of pollution and moderately tolerant to salt, unlike some native species of pine that do not do will in urban environments. The buds of Austrian pine are light brown, its twigs are brown, and its bark is brownish gray. Austrian pine foliage grows in pairs of 3-5” long, dark green needles. As an evergreen, these needles are alive year-round. Austrian pine cones are brown, prickly, 2-3” long, and 1” wide. Austrian pine look very similar to red pine (Pinus resinosa). One difference is that while red pine needles break cleanly in half when bent, Austrian pine needles do not snap unless they are frozen from the cold.